City Departments

SUBJECT: Councilmember Sawant, community activists urge Harborview to end harassment of immigrant custodians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2/28/2014 3:15:00 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dana Robinson Slote (206) 615-0061

Councilmember Kshama Sawant

Councilmember Sawant, community activists urge Harborview to end harassment of immigrant custodians

SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant delivered a letter to the Harborview Medical Center administration in solidarity with Harborview custodians, requesting the institution rectify charges of racial harassment and intimidation of custodial staff. Her office met with 40 custodians employed at Harborview where they face hostile working conditions, receive less pay, and face threats of termination for lack of English language proficiency.

"The hostile working conditions for Harborview custodians is outrageous," said Sawant. "Discrimination, be it on the basis of race, language, or gender, is unacceptable and hurts ALL workers." Further she pledged: "If UW Medicine custodians at Harborview have to resort to public actions to win justice, I pledge to march at their side."

In her letter, Sawant requested that the custodians at Harborview receive back pay and that the Haborview administration take steps to ensure a harassment-free atmosphere for custodial staff.

The Coalition of Refugee and Immigrant Communities issued a statement asking for support "to resolve this unfair targeting of immigrants and refugees at Harborview."